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Category: Auto Show

Geneva’s Car Design Night is a gathering of some of the most futuristic concept cars that the automotive industry has to offer. This year was no exception, and the Mazda Vision Coupe concept car stole the show. It was named ‘Concept Car of the Year’ by a panel of judges.

The Mazda Vision Coupe concept made its official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show back in October. It made another appearance at the recent 11th Car Design Night in Geneva and took home ‘Concept Car of the Year.’

“We are delighted once again to have Vision Coupe recognized with a global design award. And it’s truly an honor to have this model, which aims to express the essence of Japanese aesthetics, applauded by some of the world’s top car designers,” said Ikuo Maeda, Mazda’s Managing Executive Officer of Design and Brand Style.

Car Design News, an international car design publication, hosts Car Design Night. The publication puts together an 18-judge panel who vote on their favorite concept cars. Many of the judges work as design directors for major automakers.

The Mazda Vision Coupe winning the ‘Concept Car of the Year’ title follows another major award. The concept car took home ‘Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year’ at the Paris Motor Show not too long ago.

While many concept cars are just for show and never head to production, that isn’t the case for the Mazda Vision Coupe. Ikuo Maeda confirmed that the Vision Coupe’s design will show up in the lineup beginning in 2019.

One of Mazda’s crowning achievements – among many, of course – is that of the MX-5 Miata. Enthusiasts have seen their fair share of Miata concepts at auto shows over the years, and for good reason; it’s a lightweight, fun, attractive car that takes everything people love about convertibles, sports cars, and Mazda vehicles and puts them together in one car that’s far more affordable than similar offerings on the market. Mazda continued the trend by bringing the MX-5 Speedster Concept to the 2017 North American International Auto Show.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the Speedster. Mazda brought a 2015 MX-5 Speedster to the 2015 SEMA show, then brought it back again just last year. As it is, the current MX-5 Speedster Concept bears a stunning matte white paint job called White Ether, weighs under 2,000 lbs., and shows off an adjustable suspension and racing tires. It’s also notable that the Speedster has no front or rear windshield, instead opting for an air deflector in the front.

Inside, the MX-5 Speedster Concept bears a cool interior design, featuring a predictable two-seating sports car vibe (Why fix what isn’t broken?). Additionally, it also features a distinct, minimalist design that puts all of the focus on driving with a black and orange color scheme. Mazda seems to like the Speedster, so we’re sure to see variations of the model return at a few upcoming auto shows.

Auto shows are often a place for manufacturers to get a little experimental, with brand names often showing off heavily-modified versions of existing models or wildly futuristic concepts. Mazda got in on the craze when it showed up to the Tokyo Auto Salon with two custom Mazda vehicles – more specifically, a modified CX-5 and MX-5 Miata. Tokyo Auto Salon is similar to the United States’ SEMA show so Mazda went all-out giving their entries an extra layer of cool.

The 2017 CX-5 hasn’t debuted on the mass-market yet, having just been revealed about a month ago in Los Angeles. Consequently, Mazda decided to build up even more hype for the crossover by adding more sporty accents to the exterior, such as modified side mirrors, a different front and rear bumper, side skirts, height-adjustable suspension, and 20-inch wheels.

Two MX-5 Miatas are coming along for the show, too. One of them boasts similar upgrades as the 2017 CX-5 – sportier design elements and, inside, Alcantara leather trim – while the other features a Classic Red paint job that gives the MX-5 Miata a nostalgic vibe, recalling the car’s US debut in 1989.

Other custom Mazda vehicles said to make an appearance will be a rumored CX-3 model, as well as the Global MX-5 Cup race car.

The new Mazda CX-5 is premiering at the LA Auto Show in late November, showcasing the latest in the brand’s engineering. This sleek and sporty crossover SUV is ideal for any driver, with a rugged exterior, roomy interior, and the latest technologies. Plus, the new Mazda CX-5 design has some truly stunning improvements for the latest model year.

According to Mazda, the new CX-5 will have a range of new features. This includes an impressive 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter engine with a geared automatic transmission. The CX-5 also builds on the existing Mazda platform, using the ever-popular KODO—Soul of Motion design. Drivers just can’t get enough of the new CX-5.

“Compact crossovers are the most important vehicles in most automakers portfolios these days,” said John Goreham at Torque News. “Aside from trucks, compact crossovers are the largest segment now, ahead of both compact and midsize cars in sales. Mazda’s CX-5 outsells the Miata by more than ten to one and is ahead of Mazda’s second-leading seller, the Mazda3, by a full of month of sales at this point in the year.”

Other new features include improved fenders, dramatic wheels, and a longer hood. A three-row seating setup is ideal for large families, while a tall ride height is perfect for those looking to go off road. We can’t wait to see the new CX-5 in action.